Flooded rail line reopens

Arriva says passengers travelling on the line's Monday services will receive a 'surprise.'

A stretch of railway line in north Wales reopened on Saturday after being destroyed in winter floods.

Network Rail say the £4m work was completed on the Conwy Valley line in time for the start of the summer timetables.

Stretches of the line between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Llandudno Junction were completely swept away in the floods, c completely buckling the track. Alternative bus services have been running for passengers for three months of repairs to a 10 mile stretch between Tal-y-Cafn and Betws-y-Coed.

Another week of floods in early March set back the project by a week, but now the line is reopening in time to carry 18 trains a day in the tourist season.

The flooding badly damaged the tracks

Gerry Manley, Network Rail's earthworks engineer, said: "In a little over three months, we have successfully reconstructed some two miles of railway embankment.

"This has been done through close liaison with a great many local and national bodies."

Arriva Trains Wales plans an official ceremony on Monday to mark the completion of the work.

It will include the official 'adoption' of Blaenau Ffestiniog railway station by pupils of Ysgol Maenofferen and Cyfle Ffestiniog under the rail company's Adopt a Station initiative.